When We Fall Silent

Chapter Five

The club was in an uproar. It was always like this on a Friday night—the start of the weekend, the perfect time to let loose. An amazing time to give into sin.

As I passed the bouncer, I couldn't help but smirk at the noticeable stares lingering on my figure. The slinky red top showed enough to interest but not enough to give away everything and the black ripped jeans fit snugly on my curves, tempting anyone who looked my way. I loved to tease, especially when we went out. Tonight, was no different. I was determined to have a good time, regardless of all the tension and weirdness. I needed to let loose and dance a little and just forget about everything. Especially that deadline on the first draft of my book that was expected by Monday. I sighed to myself, knowing this weekend would be rough as I rushed to finish it to the best form of perfection I could muster. Marceline would have my throat if I didn't at least try.

I followed Alec and Kat to the bar, Maverick slowly trailing behind me, quiet as all hell. Not that I expected much else. He hadn't said one word on the way here and didn't look like he was about to anytime soon. I could feel his eyes on me, though. The burning sensation scalded my back like boiling water. I couldn't tell if it was a stare of cold indifference or boiling curiosity. My smirk grew wider as a devilish thought popped into my head. If he wanted to play mind games and act like an asshole, I could keep up. If he's going to stare at me, might as well give him something to stare at.

With that, I kicked a little sway in my step, giving my hips a little more movement than before. Maybe it was just my imagination, but I swear I could feel his stare intensify. I bit back a laugh, proud of myself for a satisfactory achievement. I was sick and tired of him having the upper hand. If he wanted to act like we weren't friends, as if we never hung out or spoke, fine then. I'd treat him like a stranger tonight. He's just some guy at a club. God help him.

I loved to tease guys at the club.

"Green tea shot, please," I asked the bartender politely, giving him a sly smile. He winked at me, sliding the shot across the bar. I handed over what I owed to him but he waved my hand off.

"Don't worry about it," he grinned. "It's on the house."

Kat and Alec turned to look at me wildly, eyebrows raised. "What was that? Was the Faye Reynolds actually flirting? The world must be ending," Katerina exclaimed in disbelief, causing me to roll my eyes.

I downed the shot without a flinch, welcoming the feeling of warmth filling my throat and stomach.

"Kat, you act like I don't flirt."

She narrowed her eyes at me. "Well you have, you usually don't do it for evil."

I laughed at her comment, spinning on the bar stool to look at her. "Oh, come on, you know I love to flirt and tease them, especially when we go out. It's harmless and it's not like I'm forcing them to do anything; all he did was give me a free drink."

Suddenly, I felt fierce energy bearing down on my left side. Maverick's brooding self had settled down into the bar stool next to me, ordering a drink for himself without even glancing our way. There was no interest in his eyes or acknowledgement of him partaking in our conversation.

Whatever.

Katerina shook her head at me, her hand positioned on Alec's thigh. They were constantly wrapped around each other no matter what.

"Gotta be careful, Faye," Alec warned, a mischievous tone in his voice. "One of these days, your flirting will get you into trouble or worse...make a guy like you."

I snorted at his comment. "Yeah, right. I'm a lot of things but I'm not a relationship girl. Boys bore me after the first 15 minutes, let alone staying with one for a whole relationship. No thank you."